**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 25, addressed on July 21, 2025, the Ministry of Culture provided the following information regarding the conservation and development of heritage sites:
A total of 655 antiquities have been retrieved from foreign countries since 1976. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertakes conservation and maintenance work for ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national importance across the country, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. This includes providing amenities such as drinking water, toilet blocks, pathways, and landscaping. Maintenance is an ongoing process, subject to need and resource availability.
Regarding the digitization of cultural heritage, specifically in Rajasthan, the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), established in 2007, has documented 2,160 Built Heritage Sites and 42,606 Antiquities from Rajasthan. This data has been published on the NMMA website: http://nmma.nic.in.
The Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, provided the response.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for the preservation and promotion of art and culture.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): An Indian government agency responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in northern India.
Rajasthan: A state in northern India.
National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA): An initiative to document India's built heritage and antiquities, established in 2007.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: Minister of Culture and Tourism
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.25
ANSWERED ON 21/07/2025
CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE SITES
✝25. SHRI ARUN GOVIL:
SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:
SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:
SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY:
SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:
SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:
SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI:
SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:
SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI:
SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:
SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI:
SHRI RAJKUMAR CHAHAR:
DR. HEMANG JOSHI:
SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:
SHRI GODAM NAGESH:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of antiquities retrieved from the foreign countries;
(b) whether the Government has implemented any conservation and development
projects for the revival of heritage sites across the country including the States of
Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan;
(c) if so, the details, thereof;
(d) whether any action has been taken for the digitization of the cultural heritage of
India particularly for Rajasthan State; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) A total of 655 antiquities have been retrieved from foreign countries since 1976.
1(b)&(c) Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) takes up conservation and maintenance
work of ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national importance
including provision of amenities like drinking water, toilet blocks, pathways and
landscaping etc. in the country including the State of Uttar Pradesh and
Rajasthan. Maintenance of these monuments and sites is a continuous process
and is taken up as per the need and availability of resources.
(d)&(e) The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), established in
2007, has documented 2,160 Built Heritage and Sites and 42,606 Antiquities
from the state of Rajasthan. The data has been published at the NMMA website:
http://nmma.nic.in.
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